Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This year I thought we could try a traditional Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage! We invited over some friends who were up for something new and had a great time! It is actually quite delicious. I think we have a new tradition and it is even easy!

I can be taught

I am not much of a baker, but make attempts every now and then. I have always dreamed of making delicious sugar cookies and have finally done it! They were just the right fluffiness and they tasted delicious!

Cole sure loved helping especially licking the bowl of frosting afterwards!

Here is the fool safe recipe!  The secret which most of you already know is to refrigerate the dough before hand and even while you are rolling stuff out.  

Sugar Cookies from allrecipes.com

1.5 cups butter, softened

2 cups of white sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

5 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

In a large bowl cream together butter and sugar until smooth.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt.  Cover and chill for at least an hour or overnight.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees and roll out dough on flat surface.  Bake 6-8 minutes in preheated oven.  Cool completely.

Sunday Talk

So, I happen to know a member of our bishopric very well and mentioned that I love to speak in church. He didn't let that get by him and I was promptly asked to do so! My topic was education and the blessings you receive spiritually and temporally. My focus was that from our temporal education we learn discipline which in turn helps us to become better disciples of Christ. It was a good self reminder which they always are!

Gymnastics

I enrolled Cole in gymnastics. The first day, Ethan about had a conniption because he wanted to join. So, I found a class for Cole when there is a mom and tot class for Ethan and they are both thrilled! They love everything about it.  Jumping, swinging, running, landing in a pit of foam and trampolines.  I love that they are working really hard and getting out some energy.

The pit!

The rings!  Ethan does a funny belly laugh every time he does these.

Crawling on the bars.

Running and jumping up the trampoline to do a summersault.

Time Out For Women

This weekend I got to go to a Time out for Women. I went with Shelley, Tiff and Tab and we met up with Jeanne and Lynette. We got to hear inspirational stories, talks and had a fabulous lunch at PF Changs. Everyone can use a little time out!

Take aways: By their fruits ye shall know them, but sometimes they are slow to ripen (aka children). We are surrounded by abundance. God does give you things you can't handle so you rely on Jesus Christ and the Atonement. If you need hope, PRAY.

A Visit From Nanny and Grandad

Nanny and Grandad came to town and we were busy playing!  We went out to the flight museum where we got to tour an Airforce 1 and the Concord.  We spent quite a while there as my Dad loved it!  

We went to the aquarium and the boys enjoyed seeing the fish and even touching a few!

We went on the Seattle Duck Tour which is very interesting!  It happened to be quite cold so the boys were ready to be done when it was over.

Matt and I even got to go out on a date and not have to pay a sitter $50 bucks!  Glorious!

We went out to my cousin Shayne's house which requires a ferry ride and had a delicious lunch!

Grandad left after a few days, but Nanny and I were able to go out with Shayne and finally buy some plants for my yard.  It is going to take me loads of time and work, but I will post pictures soon!  Here is a sample of what I hope to get planted.

  

Let Them Eat Dirt!

Yes, my friends, that is dirt!  Not quite sure why the boys decided to taste it and they didn't seem to mind!

Remodeling Projects

We have officially remodeled every square inch of our house!  We have touched every surface including the ceiling (except for two closets that still need painting) and now we are done!  Matt did everything himself except for installing the linoleum and carpet.  I only assisted in cheerleading, a little painting and caring for the boys so it could get done.  Here are some pictures. 

The fireplace.  I have searched all over for the before picture because this was quite a dramatic change, but I can't find it.  Please envision red brick, dinky dark brown shelf, cement slab bench with nothing underneath.

The kitchen.  It was the original kitchen and stove.  The cabinets had been badly painted white and the countertops were yellow and the stove was orange.  

The windows.  Previously there were two single pane windows.  They were so ugly I could hardly stand it.  Now, they are beautiful, they are no longer a fire hazard and they have beautiful white trim.

The bathroom.  Again it is a shame I can't find the before pictures because this was quite the change a well.

Our bedroom.  We haven't hung the mirror yet, but I love our new furniture.  It has so much storage space and everything seems so nice and clean!

Ethan's bedroom.

Cole's bedroom.  We went with a baseball theme.  I am a little sad because we did this before he got into batman and I think I would have changed themes!

A Baby Shower

Living in Seattle has changed me.  I live around a lot of women who are really talented when it comes to decorating and throwing  a party.  I have worked with them in various capacities and have learned a thing or two.  Four years ago I would have marched down to the local party shop or better yet the dollar store and picked up a few cups and plates for a party and called it good. 

Now I do this.

My friend that helped had taken pictures of the baby so we used that for our decorations!

And I also made a tutu for the present.  It even matched the decorating.

A few things worth noting.

1.  Ethan peed in the potty....twice!  He keeps asking to go by pulling his shirt up and walking towards the pot (such a boy!)  I think he has now figured it out because he actually made himself go tonight.  Kind of funny.  He is really little.  

2.  I had the best idea ever!  We have issues with Cole eating dinner so I told him we were going to play a game.  He had to close his eyes and guess what I was putting in his mouth!  He ate a mixture of chicken, beans, corn and seasoning.  One time he peaked, saw the beans and said he didn't want to eat it.  I said oops, put it back in the bowl until his eyes were closed and he ate it!

3.  Matt has finished painting all the door and window trim in the front living space.  

4.  I went to a "Total Body Workout" at the gym and couldn't walk for a day.  It kicked my patooty.

Science Center

We went to the Science Center for the first time and the kids loved it!  They have a tide pool.

We went with our friends Lilian, Anna and Leah.
They have a butterfly house which was very cool.  Ethan kept trying to pick them up!  
Cole is in the flight simulator.
Ethan is crawling in the dinosaur print.